This Week in Duval County History, July 8-14

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POSTED BY: CARDENAS.AE@GMAIL.COM JULY 8, 2019

July 8

Post office opened in San Diego on July 8, 1867. First Postmaster was George B. Warden.

Texas Post Offices

July 9

In its July 9, 1887 edition, the Corpus Christi Caller reported that a “great concourse of people was present for July 4 festivities in San Diego. Among the American and Texas flags, Mr. Tibilier raised an Irish flag. There was also a Mexican flag, ‘As no American could be more enthusiastic than were the Mexicans in celebrating the day.’ Among Gun Club members participating were Charley Hoffman, M.C. Spann, Ferdinand Tibilier, George Bodet, and Frank Gravis. New members included Avelino Garcia Tovar, Eusebio Martinez, and Antonio Rosales. Others present included W.B. Croft and John Buckley. On entering the grounds, the Gun Club formed a procession, and with a band of musicians were joined by an enthusiastic crowd. All went to serenade the president of the club, J.O. Luby, who had to attend to business and could not attend the celebration. His office was crowded with law clients. Strong anti-England comments were made and perhaps that is why Luby didn’t go since he was English.

Corpus Christi Caller, July 9, 1887

July 10

The Abilene Reporter reported in its July 10, 1896 edition that Duval County would provide rock for the Aransas Pass harbor. A bridge gang passed through San Diego on its way to Benavides while the wharves were being prepared in Corpus Christi. This was expected to bring in much money and create many jobs in Duval County.

The Abilene Reporter, July 10, 1896

July 11

Prohibition and the District Court were the big issues in Duval County on July 11, 1887. The Honorable John C. Russel presided over District Court. District Attorney D. McNeil Turner, Sheriff L.L. Wright, County Attorney C.L. Coyner, District Clerk R.B. Glover served the district court. Russel impaneled a grand jury consisting of C.K. Gravis as Foreman, F.K. Ridder, Julian Palacios, R.R. Savage, J.W. Shaw, William Hebbron, Placido Benavides, G.I. Reynolds, Archie Parr, James Bryden, Fred Frank, and William Hubbard. They returned six indictments and all parties indicted were in jail. Three for horse theft; one for assault with intent to commit murder, and two for forgery. Attorneys attending district court were J.O. Luby, J.W. Moses, Frank Feuille, Pat O’Dougherty from San Patricio County, J.S. McCampbell and Stanley Welch from Corpus Christi, and C.C. Pierce from Laredo. Four murder cases were set for the following Tuesday. 

The Rev. A.H. Sutherland of San Antonio gave several prohibition speeches, one in Spanish to a respectable crowd which was interested in the extreme. While the county was anti-prohibitionist, people were willing to be convinced.  Rev. Sutherland and  Stanley Welch debated prohibition to a crowded house. Mr. Welch proved himself worthy of the grit of a true Democrat. 

Corpus Christi Caller, July 23, 1887

July 12

William Hubbard, a wealthy stockman married Mary C. Woods. Father Bard officiated at the home of C.S. Gunter, the bride’s brother-in-law. First attendants were W.W. Meek and Clara Woods, sister of the bride; second attendants were W. H. Simmons and Irene Gravis. A reception was held at the Garfield House and elegant preparations were held at Martinet Hotel. The couple planned to make San Diego their home.

A.R. Valls’s application for a license to practice law was considered by a committee of Luby, Coyner, J.B. Wells, L.P. Bryant, and J.S. McCampbell.

Some Mexicans in the west end of San Diego carried on a baile or Fiesta and a few of those attending the district court attended.

Corpus Christi Caller, July 14, 1888

July 13

The San Antonio Light reported that Duval County was “jubilant” with “high hopes” because of plenty of grass, crops and fat stock.

San Antonio Light, July 13, 1885

July 14

Rangel Post Office opened on July 14, 1882. The first Postmaster was Albert S. Robinson.

Texas Post Offices


10 COMMENTSON "THIS WEEK IN DUVAL COUNTY HISTORY, JULY 8-14"

  1. Eduardo Garcia | August 8, 2019 at 3:47 pm | Reply
    Great information. I enjoy reading your research work of Duval County. My great-grandfather, Manuel Garcia, settled in Concepcion AROUND 1861 and purchased approximately 13,000 acres of brushland. He purchased his land from different people in Concepcion AND RANCHED until he died in 1909. My family owns some of that land and I have a title abstract with the history located in La Huerta GRANT. His ranch was known as LA CANDELARIA. My father was Enrique Garcia, he was born and raised in Concepcion and was well known as a Registered Beefmaster Cattle Breeder. Keep up the good work.

  2. Mira | July 18, 2019 at 5:56 am | Reply
    Very informative articles. I really appreciate you scouring newspapers to bring these articles to us. I am interested in the Rangel Post Office. Where was this post office – between San Diego and Freer?

  3. Rose Flores | July 9, 2019 at 1:58 pm | Reply
    Very interesting history of Duval county

  4. Forrest H. Clark Jr. | July 9, 2019 at 1:25 pm | Reply
    My dad included a chapter in his book, “Crosswinds of Duval County,” about the Greg Gibson murder. I also wrote about it in a paper for an English class at the University of Texas many years ago. If you get a picture of the monument I hope you will share it. Thanks and keep up the work on the posts of Duval County history.

  5. Tim Musgrave | July 9, 2019 at 8:26 am | Reply
    Many thanks for this wonderful history from Duval County. My great-grandfather bought our property there in 1905 and it is still in his family. I look forward to your “soy de duval” to continue to learn of the history of the county. Regarding your history on June 27th, we erected a monument on the ranch in memory of Greg Gibson at the water well where he was killed.

cardenas.ae@gmail.com | July 9, 2019 at 9:00 am | Reply
Thank you, Tim. Glad you are enjoying the blog. Be on the lookout for my forthcoming book on the 19th-century history of Duval County. If you have a photo of the monument, I would love to have a jpeg copy.

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